by Kelly Campbell
Black History Month is a time to honor the contributions, resilience, and cultural impact of Black communities. As pickleball continues to grow worldwide, it also presents an important opportunity to recognize and uplift Black pickleball players, pioneers, and organizations helping shape the sport’s future.
This February, we’re spotlighting picklers who are working to make the pickleball community more inclusive and accessible for everyone. We encourage you to support these leaders and organizations this February and beyond.
Dink Diversity
Even though pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the United States, Black athletes and communities remain underrepresented, making diversity and inclusion efforts more important now than ever. As of 2023, out of approximately 36 million total pickleball players in the U.S., only 7.3% identified as Black.
Numerous clubs, groups, and Black-owned businesses have made it their mission to increase that percentage and ensure that pickleball is a space that fosters diversity and welcomes everyone.
Pickleball’s origins are likely a major contributing factor to its current demographics. The sport gained its footing in retirement communities and among older, predominantly white Americans. Although pickleball didn’t start as an intentionally exclusive game (similarly to tennis and other country-club-adjacent sports), it has roots in spaces that were historically shaped by segregation, wealth gaps, and limited access for Black communities. Even though pickleball is a relatively “new” sport, shaped through a modern, more inclusive lens than other major U.S. sports, pickleball is not immune to the broader social and economic forces, all of which directly influence who feels welcomed and represented.
Similarly, the way in which pickleball has been developed and funded could be contributing to its demographics. The sport’s rapid growth has been fueled by strong investment in public courts, community centers, and park systems, but we can’t say for sure that these investments have been evenly distributed. While pickleball equipment itself is relatively affordable, permanent courts are not. Many well-resourced communities have had the capital and political will to meet growing demand by building and maintaining pickleball spaces. Meanwhile, underserved communities are often left out of that expansion entirely, limiting exposure, participation, and long-term growth in those areas.
While systemic barriers can still limit overall exposure to pickleball in certain communities, its modernity puts it in a unique position to be accessible and inclusive from the ground up. And so far, pickleball seems to be succeeding in providing a more accessible and supportive environment for many players. For example, in a 2024 interview, pickleball pro Hurricane Tyra Black shared that she feels more supported in the pickleball world than she ever did as a tennis professional, where she experienced racism firsthand. Even so, she expressed fear about how she may be treated on an international stage as her pickleball career continues to grow.
Meaningful progress with pickleball exposure across demographics will require intentional investment, visibility, and support for Black players, leaders, and organizations shaping the sport’s future.
Why Representation Matters in Pickleball
The more accessible and inclusive pickleball becomes, the more perspectives it welcomes, which will only strengthen and improve the game as a whole. Like all sports, pickleball has the power to bring people together. Community-based groups and organizations create safe spaces, foster new friendships, and offer mentorship. Celebrating inclusivity within pickleball isn’t optional; it’s essential to the growth and long-term development of the sport.
Sports history shows us why representation is so important. Visibility has always mattered, especially for Black athletes who have had to overcome systemic barriers to participation and recognition. Trailblazers like Serena Williams, Jackie Robinson, Simone Biles, and Willie O’Ree didn’t just excel in their sports; they overcame racial obstacles, changed public perception, and created pathways for generations to follow. Pickleball, still young and evolving, has the opportunity to learn from that history. Without intentional representation at the professional level, the sport risks repeating the same patterns of exclusion seen in long-established sports like tennis and hockey.
There are still very few Black professional pickleball players, and increased visibility is necessary to promote true racial diversity within the game. That representation helps determine who feels welcomed, who feels seen, and who believes there’s a place for them in the sport.
“There have been a lot of African American people that come up to me and they love to see the representation on the court,” Tyra Black told Popsugar. “Everyone comes out, and they’re super supportive. Even people not of color have been super supportive of me out there. When I played tennis, it was a completely different story. To come into pickleball and have this super welcoming environment around me has been super amazing.”
As pickleball continues to grow, we all play a role in shaping what the sport becomes. This Black History Month and beyond, that means supporting Black players, businesses, and organizations, advocating for equitable access in your community, and helping build a pickleball culture where everyone feels welcomed, represented, and valued. Read on for some of pickleball’s most notable Black-owned and led businesses and organizations, players, and investors.
Black-owned Pickleball Organizations Making an Impact
Black Pickleball & Co. – A 501(c)3 organization with a mission to provide opportunities for cross-class connections inherent in communal sports to improve the financial literacy and economic mobility of minority communities. Black Pickleball & Co. is committed to developing inclusive and supportive environments that empower individuals through education, community engagement, and accessible health & wellness programming.
African American Pickleball Association – A Long Island-based pickleball hub that hosts pickleball tournaments and events, offers memberships, intending to introduce pickleball to more African American players and foster inclusivity and diversity within pickleball.
Pickleballin’ Lifestyle Club – An inclusive pickleball community in Atlanta and Miami curates spaces for fun and sophistication on the pickleball court, which was created to address the need for a welcoming space in pickleball for Black women.
Black Pickleballers United – A group dedicated to promoting health, wellness, and empowerment within the African American community through pickleball.
Black Pickleball Dallas – A 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to creating an inclusive, accessible, and authentic pickleball community.
NYC’s Volley and Vibe – NYC’s first Black pickleball club, creating a third space for Black folks to learn and play pickleball.
DAB Pickleball – Black-owned pickleball club that hosts inclusive tournaments, develops engaging programs, and offers top-quality equipment for all ages and skill levels. DAB is committed to fostering community, promoting healthy lifestyles, and supporting local charities.
WePickle – Black-owned pickleball company (based in Charleston & Atlanta) that provides pickleball lessons and after-school programs and “empowers communities through accessible and inclusive pickleball education, fostering fitness, teamwork, and community engagement for a healthier, more connected society.”
The Best Paddle – Jamie Foxx’s pickleball paddle company. Their mission is to empower and foster authentic connections through pickleball.
Blackout Pickleball – An organization dedicated to increasing Black representation in pickleball.
Black People Who Love to Play Pickleball – Facebook community established to increase awareness and participation of African Americans in the fastest-growing sport in the country. The group is open to any players.
Representative Players & Leaders
Tyra Hurricane Black: A 24-year-old tennis-turned-pickleball pro, Tyra Hurricane Black is a pickleball powerhouse who currently plays for Dallas Flash Pickleball Club (MLP). She has a 65.7% career win rate (84.2% so far in 2026), and she even beat the #1-ranked Anna Leigh Waters in both singles and doubles matches. She’s described as a fearless player.
“Know that you belong there no matter what the color of your skin is or what people say to you. You belong there. If you put in the work, you can do whatever you want out there. No one should be able to intimidate or put you down.” – “Hurricane” Tyra Black
Many Black non-pickleball athletes and celebrities are playing, investing in, or promoting pickleball, helping increase pickleball’s visibility in Black communities.
Jamie Foxx: Outside of being an award-winning musician and actor, Jamie Foxx is a pickleball enthusiast who hosts high-profile pickleball parties and even cofounded paddle brand The Best Paddle.
LeBron James: In 2022, basketball legend LeBron James made his entrance on the professional pickleball scene when he bought an MLP team.
Terrell Owens: NFL Hall of Famer Terrell Owens loves to play pickleball. He has competed in high-level tournaments and celebrity showcases. Even his Instagram page now shows just as much (or more) love for pickleball than football.
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